Display device



J. G. BOHART DISPLAY DEVICE Oct. 14, 1930.

Filed May 23, 1929 DOE'8ICO.

OIL

a @ZUQML A- -rA j Patented Oct. 14, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JAMES GREGORY BOHART, OF FLUSI-IING, NEW YORK, ASSIGIIOR 10 SINCLAIR REFIN- ING COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF MAINE DISPLAY DEVICE Application filed May 23, 1929.

This invention relates to display devices of the illuminated type and is concerned more particularly with a display device which may take the form of a globe of glass or the like 5 carrying a design which, if desired, may be illuminated by alamp within the globe. Such globes are commonly employed on the tops of gasoline pumps at filling stations, the design being the trade mark or other insignia of the oil company manufacturing the gasoline delivered by the pump. The device of the present invention is particularly adapted for that purpose, although it is to be understood that the utility of the invention is by no means confined to that particular use.

In making such globes heretofore, several methods have been employed. According to one. process, the globe is made of opal glass, and the design or lettering to be used is painted on the outer face of the globe by means of mineral paints which are later fused into the glass by heat treatment. A globe so made is relatively expensive, the design or lettering must be fairly simple to permit its being painted on, and the paint is found to discolor upon continued exposure due to the action of the elements, the fumes of gasoline, etc.

Another expedient adopted is to place a stencil of the design on the outer wall of the glass and cut the design into the glass by means of a sand blast. The cavities forming the design are then filled with cold paint of the usual kind. This method is also expensive, it ordinarily requires the use of opal glass to make the design stand out, only relatively simple designs may be used, and the paint weathers, discolors and washes away.

The placing of the designs on the out-er walls of the globes in accordance with the 9 methods above described is necessary because the globes are of the one piece and have only a small opening, and it is impossible to work through the opening to paint the design on the inner wall. Placingthe design on the inner wall where it is protected by the glass against weathering is most desirable but cannot be accomplished in one piece globes by the methods heretofore used.

An attempt has been made to place the design on the inside of the globe by making Serial No. 365,255.

the globe in two parts which receive the painted design on their inner walls and are then joined together by cement mounted in a metal frame. lVhile these constructions are satisfactory so far as the design is concerned, the use of a metal frame is expensive, and when cement is used, there is a likelihood that the cement may weather out of the joint on exposure and permit the two halves to separate. Also the'labor charge for making the globe using cement adds materially to the cost.

To overcome the difficulties above set forth, I have devised a globe of one piece construction which carries a design on its inner wall protected against the action of the elements. This design may be as elaborate or intricate as desired, it may contain many colors, and the finished globe, while having the appearance of opal glass, may be made of plain glass. The method employed in making the new globe is relatively simple, the finished product is inexpensive and aside from affording the advantages of a more satisfactory design, the new globe preserves the design so that its life is indefinite.

For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of the device in the form of a canteen-shaped globe, and

Fig. 2 is a View in vertical section.

The device is shown in a form commonly used on gasoline pumps. the globe 10 being of canteen shape and having flattened faces ll carrying a design or advertisement 1?. globe has a neck 18 of relative small diameter by which the globe is fa cued by any suitable means on top of the column 'l-{lof the pump. An incandescent bulb (not shown) is sometimes provided within the globe to illuminate it.

The globe used is of clear glass which less expensive than the opal glass commonly used heretofore. The design is printed in appropriate colors on a thin piece of paper, and may be a decalcomania transfer. This design is then inserted through the opening and applied to the inner surface of the glass at the desired point. WVhen a decalcomania is used, the customary method of eifecting the transfer fromthe thin paper to the glass Wall 7 is employed. Thereafter the entire inner surface of the globe is coated with a suitable lacquer, preferably White, so that the de sign is protected and the globe has the translucent appearance-of opal glass. 7

As illustrated, the design 15 is applied to the flattened faces 11 of the globe and the entire inner surface is "provided With a film of lacquer 16. In the drawing the thickness of the design and of the lacquer film has been exaggerated for the sake oi'clearness.

By the method above' described,it-is posslble to employ an elaborate and lntricate design since such designsmay be printedivith comparative ease in forms that cannot be duplicated by the painting methods used for the purpose. Such designs are quite inespensive and may be obtained in large quanti- V ties With exactuniformity. The application of such designs by the method described is simple, takes little time and does not require a high degree of skill. At the same time, globes are produced in which the designs last indefinitely since they are protected both against exposure to the elements, and against might enthe action of gasoline fumes Which ter the globe from the pump. Whatlclaim isz' 1. A display device comprising glass enclosure having a relatively small opening.-

an unfused material forming a design on the inner all of the enclosure and visible through the Wall, and-a translucentprotec- 1 tive film'on wtllfi'lllilei" wall and covering the design.

, 2. A display device-comprising a clear glass .globe having a relatively small opening, an

unfused decalcomania design on the inner- Wall ofthe globe, and a protective film of lac-f quer on the lnner Wall and covering the de-V sign, the film being translucent.

In testimony Whereoi I affix mv signature.

' JAMES GREGORY B'OHART; 

